Plans for bright, airy consolidated security checkpoint design highlighted during RIC meeting

Airport officials were expecting 180,000 travelers to stream through Richmond International Airport for the Thanksgiving holiday, with passengers embarking on their journeys starting last Thursday and continuing through this coming Monday.

The busy travel season comes after data showed that RIC, during the FAA-mandated "capacity reductions on aviation" as part of the federal government shutdown, cancelled 85 flights from Nov. 7 through Nov. 17.

During the year’s busiest travel season, the last Capital Region Airport Commission meeting of 2025 on Tuesday reflected on challenges and focused on aspirational growth, federal funding opportunities, passenger tallies, construction and finances.

In the coming years, travelers will encounter a new look at the airport: a consolidated security checkpoint design, which CRAC members viewed and discussed at this week's meeting.

Representatives from architectural and engineering firm Gresham Smith presented an update on the proposed project, which aims to create a streamlined entrance to the security checkpoint, featuring double-height ceilings in screening and “recomposure areas,” and a reimagined open-concept concessions area with floor to ceiling windows offering a view of the tarmac.

The space would feature abundant natural light and design elements echoing the flow of water of the James River, to offer travelers a sense of place as they arrive in Richmond.

“The future Richmond International Airport security checkpoint will use contemporary design with regional character, drawing from its rich history and welcoming Southern spirit to create an authentic, tech enhanced, inclusive experience,” said Luca Carraro, a South Florida-based studio design leader with Gresham Smith during the design presentation. “And we've coupled that with an image of the James River, which locates the city geographically, but also takes it back to its past.”

Carraro described the consolidated airport checkpoint design as a brighter and airier than the current layout. Airport officials have said the design will consolidate security efforts and decrease confusion travelers sometimes experience with the current divided concourse and security system.

“It’s more of a grander civic space,” Carraro said.

The design is not final, with continued feedback and funding being secured.

Richard Leidl, RIC’s Washington D.C. counsel, presented a vision for funding opportunities in the nation’s capital through Congress and federal agencies that could help the commission secure $15 million in funding for expansion and projects such as the consolidated checkpoint.

Key on the minds of the airport officials and the CRAC board members is an aspirational Europe flight route.

“This is a huge opportunity. As we meet with leaders of big organizations, we plan to communicate the plan to raise $20 million for this effort. That is the risk mitigation required to give international service here a minimum annual guarantee,” said Miller.  

Long-term growth plans addressed; employees receive back pay

In other airport news, officials reported that federal workers at RIC who did not receive salaries during the shutdown have since been paid.

Air carriers reported 453,936 passengers in October, establishing a new month of October record at RIC, according to airport spokesperson Troy Bell, with American Airlines being the top carrier.

Bell said the total represents a 6% increase versus the same month a year ago (428,441) and a 3% increase compared to the previous record set in 2023. For fiscal year 2026 to date, passenger traffic is 4.5 % ahead of the same period in FY25.

Also:

• airport consulting firm Kutchins & Groh, LLC, was awarded a contract estimated to amount to nearly $3.2 million for planning and engineering services in preparation for the RIC Airport Master Plan.

• a three-acre expansion to Enterprise’s lease at the airport was approved, which will allow the rental car company to accommodate additional parking.

• ATC Indoor DAS, LLC, which supplies and maintains the neutral host distributed antenna system (DAS) that delivers wireless provider services at the airport, was approved for a seven-year lease extension with the option for two additional one-year extensions in advance of planned renovations and increased demand. The amendment is expected to help close gaps in cellular coverage in the terminal.

• LeQuan M. Hylton attended his first meeting as a newly appointed member of the commission representing Chesterfield County, where he is a member of the board of supervisors.

• Kevin Carroll, secretary of the commission, was designated to join the commission’s foundation as a voting member. A resident of Chesterfield County, he also serves as the Matoaca representative on the locality’s board of supervisors.

Airport expenses and revenue continue to outperform the FY26 budget, according to preliminary, unaudited data. Primarily driven by the increase in passenger traffic, airport operating revenue for October was approximately $500,000 more than projected, totaling $6.9 million. Year-to-date revenues totaled $26.7 million, exceeding projections by $1.4 million or 5.7%. Operating expenses year-to-date were $15.6 million, which was under budget by $1.1 million or 6.5%, according to RIC statistics.

Richmond International Airport has about 21 current active construction projects totaling about $118 million. In the construction stage, there are currently 10 projects totaling about $71 million. Four other renovation projects at RIC total about $8.7 million.

Excluding the consolidated checkpoint design project, which is estimated to cost $12 million, projects in the design phase amount to about $38 million.

Commission holds closed session

The executive committee also held a closed session to discuss legally sensitive issues.

The closed agenda topics focused on the presidential executive orders addressing workplace equality standards and regulations addressing Disadvantaged Business Enterprise and airport concessions as well as DBE programs and certifications as well as water contamination within the Chickahominy River watershed including areas adjacent to the airport.

Another topic discussed at the closed session focused on Immigration and Customs Enforcement activities at RIC. At last month's CRAC meeting, CRAC Vice Chair and Varina District Supervisor Tyrone Nelson highlighted the fact that airport officials had not disclosed that ICE deportation flights had been departing from the RIC's private terminals and that since January those flights had increased 81%. Nelson requested Richmond Jet Center CEO Michael Clark explain to the CRAC the extent of the ICE operations.

At that October CRAC meeting, RIC CEO Perry Miller said Clark declined the invitation to speak to the CRAC in a public open session, but he said Clark was willing to discuss the ICE deportation flights which business facilitates with CRAC board members individually. Nelson and Misty Roundtree, another Henrico CRAC board member who also serves as Three Chopt District supervisor, both expressed interest in meeting with Clark. Those commission members both said this week that no meeting has occurred.

The most recent Human Rights First/ICE flight monitor report tallied a total of 104 deportation flights conducted by ICE, or likely a for-profit contractor, from RIC since January. A total of 9,730 ICE deportation flights have taken place globally this year, spurred by federal priorities and an expanded budget.

The report indicates there were 15 ICE flights out RIC in October and 1,477 globally, all while the federal government was shut down and federal employees at airports and in other roles throughout the country were not being paid. The carriers Eastern Airlines and Key Lime are the contractor airlines documented to have been operating in and out of Richmond. The Human Rights First organization details numerous concerns surrounding the treatment of the detainees on the deportation flights and in detention, as well as the lack of due process and transparency.

CRAC officials would not comment on the content discussed at the closed session.

Dina Weinstein is the Citizen’s community vitality reporter and a Report for America corps member, covering housing, health and transportation. Support her work and articles like this one by making a contribution to the Citizen.